They got to know the Chinese houseboys who came to the barracks every day too. The boys kept the rooms clean in the barracks and other buildings. They took the laundry to be cleaned, made the beds and washed the bedding. They stoked the stoves when it was cold enough to need a fire. Brought clean glasses, boiled water every day. And brought a bottle of rice wine every day. The wine was only slightly palatable with its fly’s wings floating in it and it carried a wallop. You could "hang one on" with just one bottle. They called it Jing Bao Juice. Air Raid Juice.
 

   When they arrived in Kunming, the Air force had offered classes for the men to learn to speak the Chinese language. About 95 percent of the Base went to the Mess Hall for instruction the first night. One week later, the second class was held and about 60 percent of the guys showed up. The third week, 30 percent and the fourth week, it was discontinued. It was just too tough to learn. The only phrases Dad now remembers are "Hao Boo Hao"- hello, "Ding Hao"- Ok, and "Jing Bao" - Air Raid. He said it was real easy to learn. All you had to do was have someone step on your foot every other word so you could get the right singsong inflection.

   Then early in 1944, the 11^th Bomb Squadron moved up to Kweilin, China where they had set up a new base a little further East. Here they could be a little closer to Tokyo, to the enemy. Dad became separated from the 11^th Bomb personnel and what had become the "China Eight". They were split up. First King, Argast and Mauel went to Kweilin. Then Boucher, Keranen and Carbone. They needed Dad to stay in Kunming. He became attached to Headquarters 14^th Air Force and ran a Dispensary for the 803^rd Medical Squad. The 803^rd’s members had to be flown over the "Hump" too. But could only be flown maybe a dozen at a time. It took them a couple of weeks to get them all there.